Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 30-30 ackley data

I bought a 30-30 Ackley in a 336 marlin and need some reload data or some place to start. Looking at lighter weight bullets as of now. thanks Darrell

Without knowing what powders you have available...

For starting data, refer to standard 30-30 data as on the Hodgdon site. Ai velocity will be approximate, but slightly lower.

The AI does well with the medium burning powders like 4895, 4064, Varget, 8208, etc.

In working up to max loads I use a chrono.

First you have to determine the charge weight that will achieve the velocity of the equivalent standard 30-30 load.

With the AI you are looking to gain 100 fps over what the standard data shows at a similar pressure.

In the 30-30ai that's about 2 grains over with the medium powders.

imr 4064 is were i will start. My chromo bit the dust, this my be a reason to get a new one. thanks

visit Speciality Pistols or Handgun Hunt site. Several of us have been loading for the AI for about 20 years in Contenders and Encores and have archived a lot of data there.
If you wish contact me via private message and Ill give you some data to get you started.
In those platforms with lite bullets 4198 stood out as one of the best.

You might check Ken Water's Pet Loads for info. If you use data from the P.O. Ackley handbooks remember that powders are different now than when Ackley developed the loads in the book and he was known for loading hot. A friend cracked his Martini based .30-30AI at the hinge pin using data from Ackley's book so start low and work up watching for pressure signs.

It's not that complicated...

If you refer to Hodgdon's data for your bullet, and use 2 grains over the printed data for the equivalent velocity, and the same two grains over the published maximum as a working max load, you will be in the ballpark for velocity and your loads will be safe in the Marlin.

There is no way to tell if a load is overpressure in the 30-30 by looking at primers and cases and such. The Marlin needs to operate at pressures lower than 40k psi, and by the time pressure signs show up a load is already overpressure by a lot.

I've seen guys use data worked up in a Contender that show no pressure signs at all in either platform, but have battered their lever actions over a few hundred rounds.

The Marlin is designed as a 40k psi max action, and will provide a lifetime of service within that window, but it is not a good platform for hot-rodding beyond that.

The standard 30-30 has good performance within it's intended range, and 50-100 fps won't matter on any target.

As the Hodgdon data guidelines are in the ideal safe operating range, I'd recommend just staying there.

thanks guys. I'm not looking to hot rod the rifle, I have others that I can do that with. I found out and talked to the man who had rifle built today. Going to his place tomorrow to get data and some loaded rounds. Thanks again, Darrell